Solid puzzle

ABSTRACT

A solid puzzle including a solid polyhedral main body having multiple faces, multiple unit pieces and engaging structures for fixing the unit pieces on the faces of the main body. The main body has a certain volume and several faces. By means of the engaging structures, the unit pieces are assembled and attached to the faces of the main body. Each unit piece has at least one recessed section and at least one projecting section. The shape of the projecting section is complementary to the shape of the recessed section. One of the recessed section and projecting section of at least one unit piece attaching to each face of the main body covers an adjacent face. The recessed section or projecting section covering the adjacent face is inserted with the corresponding projecting section or recessed section of another unit piece attaching to the adjacent face.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a solid puzzle, and moreparticularly to a solid puzzle having a polyhedral main body andmultiple unit pieces which can be sequentially assembled and attached tothe faces of the main body for achieving an entertaining effect.

FIG. 9 shows a conventional plane jigsaw puzzle composed of a planeboard 6 and multiple segment pieces 61. The plane board 6 is formed witha depression 62. The segment pieces 61 have complementary recesses andprojections 611, 612. In accordance with the picture on the surface ofthe segment pieces 61, the segment pieces 61 are sequentially assembledin the depression 62 to achieve an entertaining effect.

The segment pieces 61 are simply assembled on the plane board 6. Suchprocedure is quite monotonous and too easy to challenge. Therefore, theentertaining effect achieved by such plane jigsaw puzzle is poor.Moreover, each segment piece 61 has a fixed assembled position whichcannot be exchanged with the other. Therefore, the assembling manner islimited without variation so that such jigsaw puzzle can hardly attractconsumers to purchase.

FIG. 10 shows a conventional solid embossed jigsaw puzzle composed of asubstrate 7 and multiple unit pieces 71. The substrate 7 is formed witha dent 72 having a profile of a subject picture. The unit pieces 71 canbe assembled in the dent 72 to complete a solid model.

Such solid embossed jigsaw puzzle can achieve a solid feeling. However,the unit pieces 71 are still simply assembled on one face of thesubstrate 7. The entertaining effect achieved by such solid embossedjigsaw puzzle is similar to that of the plane jigsaw puzzle. Also, eachunit piece 71 has a fixed assembled position which cannot be exchangedwith the other. Therefore, the assembling manner is limited withoutvariation so that such jigsaw puzzle can hardly attract consumers topurchase.

FIG. 11 shows another type of cubic puzzle composed of several cubicblocks 8 piled on each other. Each cubic block 8 has six facesrespectively having different unit patterns. When the cubic blocks 8 arepiled into the cubic puzzle, the unit patterns of the cubic blocks 8 areassembled to form a complete pattern of each face of the cubic puzzle.

Furthermore, the cubic blocks 8 are piled to form the cubic puzzle.Therefore, each cubic block 8 is supported by the other. In the casethat one of the cubic blocks 8 misses, especially the central one, theother cubic blocks 8 will be unsupported and it will be impossible tocomplete the patterns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide asolid puzzle including a solid polyhedral main body having multiplefaces, multiple unit pieces which can be assembled and attached to thefaces of the main body by way of insertion and engaging structures forfixing the unit pieces on the faces of the main body.

The main body has a certain volume and several faces and each unit piecehas a form of a polygon. By means of the engaging structures, the unitpieces are assembled and attached to the faces of the main body. Eachunit piece has at least one recessed section and at least one projectingsection. The shape of the projecting section is complementary to theshape of the recessed section. One of the recessed section andprojecting section of at least one unit piece attaching to each face ofthe main body will cover an adjacent face. The recessed section orprojecting section covering the adjacent face is inserted with thecorresponding projecting section or recessed section of another unitpiece attaching to the adjacent face.

The main body is a polyhedral body and the unit pieces are assembled andattached to the faces of the main body to complete a solid pattern. Suchassembling procedure is liver and can achieve more entertaining effect.In addition, the positions of the unit pieces are exchangeable so thatthe combination/permutation of the unit pieces are variable.Accordingly, it is more funny and challengeable to assemble the unitpieces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the abovesolid puzzle in which the unit pieces are formed with engagingstructures so that after assembled and attached, the unit pieces willnot detach from the main body. Therefore, the assembly is facilitatedand after completed, the puzzle can be conveniently carried and readilyreassembled.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove solid puzzle in which the main body is composed of a first hollowhalf body and a second hollow half body which are associated by way ofinsertion. Therefore, the main body has an internal receiving space inwhich the unit pieces can be stored without missing. Also, it is moreconvenient to carry the puzzle.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove solid puzzle in which the unit pieces are attached to the faces ofthe main body and supported by the main body. Therefore, in the casethat one of the unit pieces misses, the other unit pieces can be stillassembled and attached to the main body.

The present invention can be best understood through the followingdescription and accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembled view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective partially exploded view of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing that the main body of the presentinvention is composed of a first hollow half body and a second hollowhalf body;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing that the first and second half bodiesare associated with each other by way of insertion;

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembled view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective partially exploded view of the second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective assembled view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective partially exploded view of the third embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional plane jigsaw puzzle;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional solid embossed jigsawpuzzle; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional cubic puzzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. The solid puzzle of the present inventionincludes a solid main body 1 having multiple faces, multiple unit pieces2 which can be assembled and attached to the faces of the main body 1 byway of insertion and engaging structures for fixing the unit pieces 2 onthe faces of the main body 1. When all the unit pieces 2 aresequentially assembled, the faces of the main body 1 are totallycovered.

The main body 1 has a certain volume and several faces 11. In thisembodiment, the main body 1 is a cubic body having six faces 11 adjacentto each other. In order to facilitate manufacturing the mold for moldingthe main body 1, the main body 1 is composed of a first hollow half body12 and a second hollow half body 13 which are associated by way ofinsertion as shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the first and secondhalf bodies 12, 13 are respectively formed with engaging sections 121,131 for engaging the first and second half bodies 12, 13 with each otherto form a complete solid main body 1.

Each unit piece 2 has a form of a polygon. Each unit piece 2 has atleast one recessed section 21 and at least one projecting section 22.The shape of the projecting section 22 of each unit piece 2 iscomplementary to the shape of the recessed section 21 of an adjacentunit piece 2. Therefore, the projecting section 22 can be inserted intothe recessed section 21 to sequentially assemble and attach the unitpieces 2 to the faces 11 of the main body 1. One of the recessed section21 and projecting section 22 of at least one unit piece 2 attaching toat least one face 11 of the main body 1 will cover an adjacent face 11.In addition, the recessed section 21 or projecting section 22 coveringthe adjacent face 11 is inserted with the corresponding projectingsection 22 or recessed section 21 of another unit piece 2 attaching tothe adjacent face 11. Accordingly, all the unit pieces 2 are linked andengaged with each other. In this embodiment, there are twelve unitpieces 2 and at least two unit pieces 2 are attached to each face 11 ofthe main body 1. One of the recessed section 21 and projecting section22 of each unit piece 2 attaching to each face 11 of the main body 1will cover an adjacent face 11. In addition, the recessed section 21 orprojecting section 22 covering the adjacent face 11 is inserted with thecorresponding projecting section 22 or recessed section 21 of anotherunit piece 2 attaching to the adjacent face 11.

Certainly, the number of the unit pieces can be increased in accordancewith the difficulty in assembly. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodimentof the present invention, in which there are sixteen unit pieces 4. Theunit pieces 4 are evenly assembled and attached to the faces 11 of themain body 1. The number of the unit pieces 4 is increased so that thenumber of the unit pieces 4 attaching to each face 11 is increased.Therefore, the recessed section 41A and projecting section 42A of theunit piece 4A positioned in the middle of the face 11 will not cover theadjacent face 11. However, one of the recessed section 41 and projectingsection 42 of the unit piece 4 positioned on the periphery of the face11 will still cover the adjacent face 11 of the main body 1. Inaddition, the recessed section 41 or projecting section 42 covering theadjacent face 11 is inserted with the corresponding projecting section42A or recessed section 41A of the unit piece 4A in the middle of theadjacent face 11.

The engaging structures serve to fix the unit pieces 2 on the faces 11of the main body 1. In this embodiment, the engaging structures includemultiple engaging holes 31 formed on the faces 11 of the main body 1 andmultiple engaging bosses 32 formed on the faces of the unit pieces 2,which faces are attached to the main body 1. The engaging bosses 32correspond to the engaging holes 31 and can be engaged in the engagingholes 31 to fix the unit pieces 2 on the faces 11 of the main body 1.Alternatively, the engaging structures can be magnetic structures. Ironplates can be disposed on the faces of the main body and magnets aredisposed on the faces of the unit pieces, which faces are attached tothe main body. Accordingly, by means of magnetic attraction, the unitpieces can be fixedly attached to the faces of the main body.

In the above embodiments, the main body is cubic body with six faces.Alternatively, the main body can be a polyhedral body. FIGS. 7 and 8show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the main body5 is a close polyhedral body having multiple polygonal faces 51. Themain body 5 substantially has a form of a spherical body. More unitpieces 2 can be sequentially assembled and attached to the faces 51 ofthe main body 5 to completely enclose the outer surface of the main body5.

In order to make the appearance of the puzzle more live to attractconsumers, the unit pieces are previously printed with various pictureswith different colors.

When assembled, as shown in FIG. 2, the engaging boss 31 of one unitpiece 2 is inserted in the engaging hole 31 of one face 11 of the mainbody 1 so as to attach the unit piece 2 onto the face 11. Then the otherunit pieces 2 are adaptively sequentially attached to the other faces 11of the main body 1 with the recessed sections 21 and projecting sections22 fitted with each other. Accordingly, the outer surface of the mainbody 1 can be totally enclosed as shown in FIG. 1. In the assemblingprocedure, entertaining effect and educational function are achieved.

Moreover, the main body is a cubic body or polyhedral body and the unitpieces are assembled and attached to the faces of the main body tocomplete a solid pattern. Such assembling procedure is liver and canachieve more entertaining effect. In addition, the positions of the unitpieces are exchangeable so that the combination/permutation of the unitpieces are variable. Accordingly, it is more funny and challengeable toassemble the unit pieces.

Furthermore, the unit pieces are formed with engaging structures so thatafter assembled and attached, the unit pieces will not detach from themain body. Therefore, the assembly is facilitated and after completed,the puzzle can be conveniently carried and readily reassembled.

Besides, the main body is composed of a first hollow half body and asecond hollow half body which are associated by way of insertion.Therefore, the main body has an internal receiving space in which theunit pieces can be stored without missing. Also, it is more convenientto carry the puzzle.

In addition, the unit pieces are attached to the faces of the main bodyand supported by the main body. Therefore, in the case that one of theunit pieces misses, the other unit pieces can be still assembled andattached to the main body.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention,not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the aboveembodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

1. A solid puzzle comprising a solid polyhedral main body havingmultiple faces, multiple unit pieces which can be assembled and attachedto the faces of the main body by way of insertion and engagingstructures for fixing the unit pieces on the faces of the main body,wherein the main body has a certain volume and several faces and eachunit piece has a form of a polygon, by means of the engaging structures,the unit pieces being assembled and attached to the faces of the mainbody, each unit piece having at least one recessed section and at leastone projecting section, the shape of the projecting section beingcomplementary to the shape of the recessed section, one of the recessedsection and projecting section of at least one unit piece attaching toat least one face of the main body covering an adjacent face, therecessed section or projecting section covering the adjacent face beinginserted with the corresponding projecting section or recessed sectionof another unit piece attaching to the adjacent face.
 2. The solidpuzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body is a cubic body withsix faces adjacent to each other.
 3. The solid puzzle as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the main body is a close polyhedral body havingmultiple polygonal faces, the main body substantially having a form of aspherical body.
 4. The solid puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein themain body is composed of a first hollow half body and a second hollowhalf body which are associated by way of insertion, whereby an internalreceiving space is defined in the main body.
 5. The solid puzzle asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second half bodies arerespectively formed with engaging sections for engaging the first andsecond half bodies with each other to form a complete solid polyhedralmain body.
 6. The solid puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein at leasttwo unit pieces are attached to each face of the main body, whereby oneof the recessed section and projecting section of each unit pieceattaching to each face of the main body will cover an adjacent face, therecessed section or projecting section covering the adjacent face beinginserted with the corresponding projecting section or recessed sectionof another unit piece attaching to the adjacent face.
 7. The solidpuzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein several unit pieces are attachedto each face of the main body, whereby the recessed section andprojecting section of the unit piece positioned in the middle of theface of the main body will not cover the adjacent face, while one of therecessed section and projecting section of the unit piece positioned onthe periphery of the face will still cover the adjacent face of the mainbody, the recessed section or projecting section covering the adjacentface being inserted with the corresponding projecting section orrecessed section of the unit piece in the middle of the adjacent face.8. The solid puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagingstructures include multiple engaging holes formed on the faces of themain body and multiple engaging bosses formed on the faces of the unitpieces, which faces are attached to the main body, the engaging bossescorresponding to the engaging holes, whereby the engaging bosses can beengaged in the engaging holes to fix the unit pieces on the faces of themain body.